Hey Sabrerattler7,
I have been thinking more about my (and your) problem. You mentioned that the 430 Rivi's had a center drop pan, but it might be too deep. I'm considering the possibility of getting my hands on one and comparing to the overall size and shape of my 300 pan. The thought I am having is wether or not it would be feasible to do a little cutting and splicing. The idea would be to use the Rivi's 430 pan but cut the drop portion out and either fab a shorter drop to weld back in it's place or cut the drop from the 300 and weld it in. The question, I suppose, would be wether or not the drop would be in the correct place to clear everything even if made shorter (shallower) and then just modify the pick-up to fit the custom pan. Let me know your thoughts on that, you too Dr. Frankenbuick (and anyone else willing to chime in) if you don't min
On a different note, I am also considering the option of just rebuilding the 300 I've got in it now. A couple of things are making me a little hesitant to do so. First, there just aren't a lot of parts or options available for this engine. Especially my '64 aluminum head, 2bbl version. I'm not looking to make this thing a hotrod or anything, I just need reliability with decent torque/power as it is my daily driver. No one even makes or even rebuilds the crazy motor mounts! The second thing holding me back on the 300 is that I don't want to spend time/money/energy going through this motor and rebuilding/replacing (not to mention finding) parts. And when the smoke clears, I've still got a low compression, 2bbl, small displacement engine pushing around my huge 4 door cruiser. And if/when something breaks or wears out I have to hunt all over again.
ATTENTION
I don't think it's just a depth problem. I'll go get measurements. 430 Riviera center drop is longer and wider than 300. Wider doesn't matter but longer does a bunch, plus I don't know how much fore aft move there is in the center link as you steer. I also contemplated cut and weld, but the drop is there to add volume of oil for big block and to fit the big pick up screen. I haven't compared pick up screens as yet because I haven't taken pan off 300.
WHOOPS SCREEN SCREW UP THOUGHT I WAS AT END
Sorry to write a book, but when I consider all of these things, it makes the 430 option seem like a no brainer even with the mods and fab work that it might require. If I could get my hands on a '64 aluminum 4bbl intake for a reasonable price, it might sway my decision a little more to the 300 side, but as it stands I'm leaning towards the 430.
Hey! Anybody got a good running 401 or 425 Nailhead just sitting around they want to donate to the cause?!
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